Willows and Urns

Willows and urns decorate many 19th Century gravestones in Ridgefield. The weeping willow symbolizes mourning while the urn represents death. Urns were popular household decorations during the Federal and Greek Revival Periods of American architecture. They also held the remains of the cremated dead in some cultures. This is from the tombstone of Capt. Joel Pike, who is mentioned in the accompanying article